Original Air Filter Assembly??

[65sunbeam]

This is the air filter assembly that came on my S2. I have never seen one like this and all engine photos I have seen show the fiberglass air box with hose leading to the stock filter in the grill opening. Any idea what this came on originally? It is made of metal. Thanks, Eric

[Elanintheforest]

This picture shows the original Eric. They do come up on eBay quite often.

Is there a big following for 60s Lotus around your way? I worked in Columbia SC for a few months about 10 years ago, and kept on seeing Lotus cars, and at one junction in particular. There's a crossroad in town called 5 ways, which is very confusing as a Brit who never knows which way to look. On one occasion I was walking across when a red Elan roared through...it was an S4 I think. I was watching it so closely that I ended up sprawled across the bonnet of a large Ford. The next week, same thing, only this time it was a Lotus Cortina that went through...and a couple of weeks later a Europa. I saw many others Lotus on other roads around SC, but have never seen an Elan anywhere else in the States outside of shows.

What's going on....or is it just me and the 5 ways junction??!!

Mark

[CBUEB1771]

This is the air filter assembly that came on my S2. I have never seen one like this and all engine photos I have seen show the fiberglass air box with hose leading to the stock filter in the grill opening. Any idea what this came on originally? It is made of metal. Thanks, Eric

Years ago Ray at RD Enterprises was selling an air filter assembly designed to use the filter element from a Jaguar 12 cylinder (one of two). I am pretty sure that is what you have.

[stugilmour]

Welcome to the list Eric. Interesting set-up. I had not seen that style either.

Picking up on Russ's comment, I see Ray at rdent.com lists the stock set-up parts if you want to go that way; pretty spendy though. He has the air box, filter canister, trunking, etc. As mentioned above, I have seen several on eBay over the last couple of years, particularly for the Webers. Would take a close look to see if you can fit the trunking through your radiator mounting area first though, as this might be why PO modified the air box?

On Ray's site, if you look under Europa parts you will see another option. He has an oval shaped foam air cleaner with backing plates drilled for the various TC carb set-ups. He supplied me with one of these undrilled so I can match to my carbs (SU's); I haven't installed it yet but looks like it will fit OK. The fitting can be tight to the bonnet and the inner fender, so figured undrilled was better for me. I believe they come in various thicknesses to address these clearance issues in the various Loti models. I talked to him on the phone to order, and he selected the one that would fit my Plus 2.

[ardee_selby]

Hi Eric,

I've got one of those. I got it as a freebie!
I was shopping at a place called "Performance Unlimited" in Essex in the UK in the late 70's.
IIRC they had what they described as either an RS or BDA air box...can't remember which.
When it appeared the guy said it wasn't up to their usual quality and I could have it for nothing...so I took it, and after a bit of fettling it fitted OK.

Cheers - Richard

[ardee_selby]

Eric,

Smee again. have a look at the pic on here:

http://www.rsownersclub.co.uk/car_info/esc2rs1800.htm

RS1800 eh? Can't be bad!

Richard

[65sunbeam]

Thanks for all the ideas. So Richard-it is interesting how an RS1800 airbox made it across the pond!
Mark-here in present day Columbia I know of 4 Elans but perhaps a few more are in hiding? The Lotus Cortina was sold off for $4,000 at about the time you were here. I should have bought that one..... The intersection is called "5 points"-and yes it is confusing. Sort of like me trying to navigate through a double or triple roundabout.
If you ever return here for work let me know. Eric

[CBUEB1771]

So Richard-it is interesting how an RS1800 airbox made it across the pond!

It is entirely possible that Ray was importing them, I bought one from him and it looked just like what you show in your photo and the RS owners site photo.

[gazzamuffin]

Hi I have exactly the same one!

Can you tell me what car it originates from and where you get your air filter from?

thanks


Gazzamuffin

[UAB807F]

Chris Neil Sportscars were selling air boxes like that in the 80s, I know because I bought one and it's still in the workshop somewhere.

I think they came out because you couldn't seem to get the original back plates at the time, and being a curved/pressed design it was easier to come up with a square box & bolt a current flat filter to it. These days with more interest in the cars, internet forums & market place it doesn't seem so much of a problem. I replaced my C/N one with an original, courtesy of good old Ebay.

Brian